Internal-combustion pump



March 17, 1931'. A. ARUTUNOFF INTERNAL COMBUSTION PUMP Filed Dec. 1. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR fiArutum/fi Maia.

WiTNESS If I ATTOR N EY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 1 mm a m l/ A. 11 i1 A March 17, 1931. A. ARUTL INOFF INTERNAL COMBUSTION PUMP Filed Dec. 1. 192a g /fl 7 6 5 w w a 2 \\m \s g E E x 2 5 9 4 a 7 M W WITNESS ATTORNEY communication with the well tubing.

Patent ed Mar. 17, 1931 ARMAIS ARUTUNOFF, OF BARTLESVILLE, OKLAHOMA INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PUMP Application filed December 1, 1928. Serial No. 323,098.

My invention is an internal combustion pump such as disclosed in my co-pending application Serial N 0. 203,512 filed July 5, 1927, patented May 13, 1930, No. 1,7 58,346.

With the invention embraced in my copending application exploded gases are ad mitted toan oil well tube at various stages so as to lift an oil column step by step to the ground level. The combustible gases are 1 controlled by a motor driven, periodically opened, valve, as well as other devices located exteriorly of the well.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an internal combustion pump wherein the motordriven valve and other co-operating mechanism is eliminated.

The invention further provides a pump or a well flowing device wherein the control and exhaust of gas pressure is-automatic and is responsive to the rise and fall of the oil or other liquid.

The invention also contemplates an internal combustion pump having float actuated valves for controlling the inlet and exhaust of the lifting medium to a cylinder having With the preceding and other objects and advantages in mind theinvention consists in the novel combination of elements, constructions and arrangement of parts and operations to be hereinafter specifically referred to, claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 is a-vertical section of the invention in operative position in a well casing,

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view partly in vertical sectlon and partly in ele-' vation,

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the pilot light employed to ignite the combustible gases, Y

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 and showing the co-acting floats for controlling the intake and exhaust valves, and

Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the device and taken at a point below the floats.

Referrin to the invention in detail a cylinder 5 havlng a head 6 received in its upper end and a head 7 received in its lower end is provided. These'heads are threadedly engaged within collars 7a secured within the ends of the cylinder by transverse fastenings 4 passing through the collars and cylinder. The head 6 is formed with a cen- 5 tral longitudinal bore 8 whose upper end has threaded engagement with one end of a well tube section 9. As particularly illustrated in Figure 5, the head 7 is provided with a central bore 10 whose lower end has threaded engagement with the upper end of a well tube section 11.

Communication is established between the heads by means of a tube 12 arranged centrally within the cylinder 5 and extending longitudinally therein with its ends con-' nected with the inner ends of the bores 8 and 10. For the purpose of trapping oil within the cylinder 5, the tube 12 is provided with ball valves 13 which normally rest upon rings or seats secured within the tube 12 adjacent its lower end and upon opposite sides of radially disposed openings 15 therein.

In order to conduct a combustible mixture into the cylinder, a supply pipe 16, having communication with a suitable supply tank not shown, is arranged concentrically within the well tube section 9 with one end threaded into an inlet bore or passage 17 formed in the head 6 and which opens upon the under face of the head at one side of the bore 8. A branch inlet bore 18 is also provided in the head 6 and has, communication with the bore 17. At one end this branch bore 18 has communication with a vertically extending supply pipe 19 arranged longitudinally within the cylinder at one side of the tube 12. The lower end of the pipe 19 has communication with a duct 20 in the head 7 whose lower end is formed with a lateral nipple 21 arranged concentrically within the bore '10 and receives the upper end of a su ply pipe 22 projecting from the well tu e section 11. In actual practice the pipe 22 corresponds to the inlet pipe 16 due to the fact that my invention is arranged at various stages along the length of well tubing. In other words the combustible mixture flowing through the supply pipe 16 flows into the bores 17 and 18 to supply the cylinder 5 and a corresponding cylinder below the same. An exhaust passageway 23 is also provided in the head 6 with its lower end adjacent the lower end of the inlet bore 17 and its upper end opening into the collar 7a at the upper end of the cylinder.

In order to control the supply of combustible mixture to the cylinder and the resultant exhaust gases, a casting or body 24 is attached to the under face of the head 6 by fastenin s 25 and is formed With passages 26 and 2 which register with the inlet bore 17 and exhaust passage 23 respectively. lhese assages 26 and 27 open into the cylinder fli'om opposite sides of the casting and are formed with oppositely disposed valve seats 28 intermediate their ends.

Intake and exhaust valves 30 are vertically slidably movable in the casting and have their valve elements oppositely arranged to coincide with the seats 28. These valves 30 are adapted for simultaneous actuation so that when one is opened the other is closed and for this purpose the valves are fixed to lateral extensions 31 formed on an actuating member 32 arranged below the casting with its upper end slidable'in a vertical guide in the casting between the valves 30. In order to actuate the valve actuating member 32 a longitudinally movable bar 33 is provided and extends along the tube 12 and carries a pivoted cylinder 34 whose ends are closed. A rod 36 extends within the cylinder from its upper end and is provided with a head 37. Expansible coil springs 38 are arranged within the cylinder upon opposite sides of the head.

A lever 39 having one end pivotedto swing about a horizontal axis as at 40 from a lateral enlargement 41 formed on pipe 12 adjacent the member 32 and slightly below the same is provided and has its opposite end operatively connected with the rod 36 by a pin and slot connection 42. To raise and lower the member 32 incident to the longitudinal movement of the bar 33 a link 43 is arranged below the member 32 with its ends pivotally connected with this member and to the lever 39 adjacent its pivot point 40.

For the purpose of raising and lowering the bar 33 to actuate the valves 30 incident to-t-he rise and fall of liquid confined in the cylinder 5 circular floats 47 and 48 are slidably mounted on the tube 12.

The inner face of each of the floats is split vertically at one side to afford clearance for the cylinder 34, lever 39 and rod 33.

For the purpose of actuating the lever 39 to cause the valve 30 to assume the position disclosed in Fig. 2 the float 47 is formed with an inwardly directed curved finger 46 upon its bottom in longitudinal alignment with the cylinder 34. To reverse the position of the valve 30 a laterally extending lug 50a is provided on the lower end of the rod 33 and is engaged by the floats 48 upon descent of the latter.

From the description thus far given it follows that the float 47 lifts the cylinder 34 to lift the actuating member 32 and actuate the valves 30 to the position disclosed in Figure 2 through the instrumentality of the connections between the collar and link 39. Due to the action of the springs 38 opposing each other quick action is provided for the lever 39.

In order to ignite the combustible mixture within the cylinder a continuously burning pilot light 51 is provided in the upper end of the cylinder and communicates with a branch pipe 52 leading from the pipe 19. At the start of the well flowing operation the pilot will be ignited. However, this light may be dispensed with as hot gases discharged into the cylinder from the pipe 16 will be sufficient to inoandescence the pilot 51. Also a suitable electrical ignition device may be employed if desired.

The pilot 51 comprises the tubular chamber 51 communicating with the explosive chamber by means of ports 51 and supplied with combustible mixture through valve port 51. The movable pressure valve member 51 controls the admission of combustion mixture from the pipe 19 into the pilot storage chamber by way of pipe 52. This movable valve member 51 has the conicallyformed portion 51 for engagement with the seat of the valve port 51 for closing and opening the same. The movable valve member 51 is normally urged downwardly by the spring 51 against the pressure of the incoming combustion mixture, which enters the space below said valve by way of port 51*. "When the movable valve member 51 is in a position shown in Figure 3 the combustion mixture is admitted to the pilot storage chamber 51 due to the spaced relation existing between the peripheral walls of the movablle valve member 51 and the walls of the pi ot.

The operation of this pilot is obvious. The valve will normally be in the opened position as shown in Figure 3 admitting combustion mixture to the storage chamber 51 or the portion 51". The chamber 51 and the chamber 51 are heated by the heat of the combustion gases which pass through the pilot from the pipe 19 upon the starting of the pump. When the pilot is sufliciently hot at these portions the combustion mixture is passed through the base 19 and into the pilot 51 without pre-ignition, the pilot, igniting the-combustion fluid to cause the explosion.

In the operation of the invention oil flows height of oil in the cylinder is suflicient the floats ascend. The float 47engaging the rod 33 as above set forth lifts the actuating member 32 to unseat theintake valve 30 and close the exhaust valve 30. Combustible mixture flowing through the passageway 26 as indicated by the arrows in Figure 2 enters the cylinder where it is ignited by the pilot light. In this connection it is pointed out that as fast as the combustible mixture enters the cylinder it is ignited to create successive impulses which act upon the oil to force the same downwardly in the cylinder and into the tube 12. By reason of the lower ball valve being held on its seat by the impelled oil the latter is caused to travel upwardly past the other ball valve and into the well tube section 9. It

will be manifest that my invention in practice is installed in the well tube at predetermined points or stages so that the impulses will lift a column of oil from one stage to the other until it is finally expelled from the well.

After the liquid level in the cylinder has dropped a predetermined degree the floats will descend whereupon float 48 forces downwardly the lever 39 to the position disclosed in Figure 4 and reverse the position of the valves. The exhaust gases will now pass through the passageway 27 and be discharged from the cylinder by way of the bore 23.

In connection with the pilot 51 I wish to point out that I can dispense with the same at the start and permit pro-ignited charges to enter the cylinder from the pipe 16 until pilot lamp is incandescent.

After the pilot light has become incandescent the combustible mixture may be supplied to the cylinder without being preignited. I

I claim 1. In a well flowing device, a chamber into which liquid is adapted to flow and having a discharge pipe leading therefrom, means for conducting combustible mixture into the chamber, float controlled means for governing the admission of combustible mixture into the chamber and the exhaust of gases from the chamber, and ignition means in the chamber for exploding the combustible mixture and thereby causing the liquid contained therein to rise in the discharge conduit.

2. In a well flowing device, a cylinder for connection with adjacent ends of adjacent well tube sections, a tube in the cylinder and having communication with the well tube sections and provided with openings, check valves in the tube upon opposite sides of the openings, one of which permitting liquid to flow into the cylinder, float actuated means for governing the admission of combustible mixture to the cylinder and the exhaust of gases therefrom, and'ignition means for causing successive explosions of the combustible mixture in the cylinder whereby to raise the liquid contained therein into the tube beyond the upper check valve.

3. In a well flowing device, a cylinder for connection with adjacent ends of adjacent well tube sections, a tube in the cylinder and having communication with the well tube sections and provided with openings, check valves in the tube upon opposite sides of the openings, one of which permitting liquid to flow into the cylinder, ignition means within the cylinder, intake and exhaust valves in the cylinder, and float actuated means for opening one valve and closing the other at predetermined intervals, to permit combustible charges to enter the cylinderand exhaust gases to escape therefrom.

4. In an internal combustion pump, a cylinder into which liquid is adapted to flow, a discharge pipe extending vertically therefrom, a head in one end of the cylinder and having intake and exhaust passages,means for conducting combustible mixture to the intake passage, valves responsive to the flow of the liquid for controlling the passages whereby to open the intake passage and close the exhaust passage while liquid is contained in the cylinder, and means for exploding the v combustible mixture to displace the liquid from the cylinder and raise the same in the discharge pipe, the valve actuating means being operable to open the exhaust passage and close the intake passage to permit exhaust gases to pass from the cylinder after the liquid has been displaced therefrom.

5. In an internal combustion well flowing device, a easing into which liquid from a well is adapted to pass, a discharge pipe extending vertically from one end thereof, a pair of valves in the casing, one of which controlling the admission of internal combustion mixtures thereto and the other controlling the passage of exhaust gases there from, and co-operating floats in the casing, one of which being operable to open one valve and close the other when liquid rises to a predetermined height in the casing and the, other being operable to reversely actuate the valves when the liquid recedes to a predetermined level and ignition means for causing combustion in the casing when the valves are in the first mentioned position. 4

6. In an internal combustion well flow- I termined height in the casing and the other being operable to reversely actuate the valves when the liquid recedes to a predetermined level, and ignition means for causing internal combustion within the casing when the valves are in the first mentioned position.

7. In an internal combustion well flowing device, a easing into which liquid from a well is adapted to pass, a discharge pipe extending vertically from one end thereof, a pair of valves in the casing, one of which controls the admission of internal combustion material thereto and the other controlling the passage of exhaust gases therefrom, co-operating floats in the casing, one of which being operable to open one valve and close the other when liquid rises to a predetermined height in the casing and the other being operable to reversely actuate the valves when the liquid recedes to a predetermined level, and a pilot light in the casing for causing internal combustion therein when the valves are in the first mentioned position.

8. In a well flowing device, a-chamber into which liquid from a well is adapted to flow, a discharge pipe extending vertically therefrom, ignition means in said chamber, intake and exhaust valves controlling the passage of combustible mixture and resultant gases to and from the chamber, a pair of floats vertically movable in the casing and one of which being operable to actuate the valve to a. position to permit combustible mixture to enter the chamber when the latter contains hquid and the other float being operable to reversely actuate the valves to permit exhaust ases to escape when the liquid has been dlsplaced from the chamber.

9. In an internal combustion well flowing dev1ce,a chamber into which liquid is adapted to fl ow, ignition means in said chamber, a vertically extending discharge pipe leading therefrom, a head in one end of the casing and having passages therein opening into the chamber, means for conducting combustible m xture to one of the passages, a pair of opposlt'ely arranged valves controlling the passages, a valve actuating member to which the valves are fixed, and automatically operable means for actuating the valve actuating member to a position to open one valve and to close the other so that combustible mixture can enter the chamber, such means being operable to reversely actuate the valves to permit exhaust gases to pass through the exhaust passage after the liquid has been displaced from the chamber.

10. In an internal combustion well flowing device, a chamber into which liquid is adapted to flow, a vertically extending discharge pipe leading therefrom, a head in one end of the casing having passages therein opening into the "chamber, means for conducting a combustible mixture to one of the passages, a pair of oppositely arranged valves controlling the passages, a valve actuating member to which 1,7eaaa5 the valves are fixed, means responsive to the flow of said liquid for actuatlng the valve actuating member to a position to open one valve and to close the other so that combustible mixture can enter the chamber, such means being operable to reversely actuate the valves to permit exhaust ases to pass through the exhaust passage a er the liquid has been displaced from the chamber, and ignition means in the chamber below the valves.

11. In a well flowing device, a chamber into which liquid is adapted to flow, a discharge pipe leading vertically therefrom, internal combustion intake and exhaust valves in the chamber, a vertically movable member to which the valves are attached, a pivoted lever having operative connection with the vertically movable member and float actuated means in the chamber and havin operative connection with the lever where y to open and close the intake and exhaust valves or vice versa at predetermined times.

12. In combination, a chamber having its ends closed and ada ted to be introduced in a length of well tubing, a conduit extending vertically within the chamber and having communication with the latter to permit liquid to initially flow into the chamber from the well tube, internal combustion intake and exhaust valves supported at the upper end of the-chamber, a pair of fioats'slidable on the tube, a collar also slidable on the tube between the floats, a valve actuating member to which the valves are attached, and operative connection between the valve actuating member and collar, one of the floats being operable to shift the collar to actuate the valve actuating member to a position to open one valve and close the other when liquid rises in the chamber to a predetermined height, and the other float being operable to move the collar in the opposite direction to reversely actuate the valves topermit exhaust gases to pass from the chamber when the liquid therein recedes to a predetermined level.

13. In an internal combustion'well flowing device, a chamber to be received in the well and into which liquid is adapted to flow, valves for the admission of combustion mixtures to said chamber and the exhaust of gases therefrom, means for operatin said valves, valves for the introduction an ejection of a liquid from said chamber and ignition means within said chamber adapted to be heated to incandescence and adapted by means of said incandescence to ignite combustion mixtures thereafter introduced to said chamber for the ejection of said liquid by the explosion of said mixtures.

ARMAIS ARUTUNOFF. 

